Mavs' Gafford feels 'starstruck' watching teammates Doncic, Irving
Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have played so well this season that even some of their teammates are in awe.
Daniel Gafford, who was acquired by the Mavs in a trade with the Washington Wizards in February, told The Athletic's Tim Cato that he's felt like a kid again being able to watch Doncic and Irving up close.
"You're starstruck," Gafford said. "That's just how I think about it. Like I'm a kid at a candy store."
Doncic is making a strong MVP case this season, averaging a league-high 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game. The 32-year-old Irving, meanwhile, is averaging 25.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds through 56 contests.
The pair combined for 85 points in Sunday's 147-136 overtime win over the Houston Rockets and have now both scored at least 35 points in a game three times this season - the most of any duo in the NBA.
"A couple of weeks ago, Luka said that he's Robin to Kyrie's Batman," Gafford said. "Those two guys came out and handled business offensively no matter what was thrown at them."
The Mavs currently occupy the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference at 48-30 with four games remaining on their regular-season schedule.